South Africa excluded spinner Keshav Maharaj and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder from the XI for this week’s first Test against Pakistan at SuperSport Park in Centurion.
Maharaj and Mulder were included in the squad despite respective groin and finger injuries.
“Keshav was passed fit to play, but we were always going to go with an all-seam bowling attack for this match. He was a bit undercooked anyway,” said Proteas Test coach Shukri Conrad.
“Wiaan is fit, but unable to do the things he normally does, like stand at first slip for many overs, for example. He is way undercooked.”
South Africa debuted all-rounder Corbin Bosch in Test cricket on Thursday. Captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bowl first on day one in Centurion.
The Proteas currently occupy first position on the International Cricket Council’s World Test Championship points table. Australia, India and New Zealand are in second, third and fourth position, respectively.
MORE latest Proteas cricket news
- ‘Super emotional’ Corbin Bosch: My dad obviously played for South Africa as well
- Rob Walter: I’m optimistic that when the time comes, we’ll pull together
- Hawks arrest and charge former Proteas pair
- Proteas select Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka for Test cricket
- JP Duminy resigns ‘following a mutual agreement with CSA’
- Heinrich Klaasen: This is ridiculous, disappointing, annoying
- Tabraiz Shamsi: I have decided to opt out of my central contract
- Dewald Brevis: I want to be the best cricketer that has ever lived